What is anxiety?

Anxiety is a feeling of worry, fear, tension, or uneasiness. It can also be accompanied by physical symptoms such as sweating, accelerated heartbeat, and shortness of breath.

Anxiety (an emotion) differs from anxiety disorders that are severe and chronic in nature. While normal anxiety can be a short-lived reaction to stress, anxiety disorders can cause intense and excessive worry or fear that interferes with your life.

What is stress?

Stress means worry and emotional or physical tension in response to a particular situation. It is a normal response of the body in difficult situations that are out of our control.

Symptoms of Anxiety and Stress

The emotional and behavioral responses to anxiety and stress include:

Anger
Embarrassment
Fear
Forgetfulness
Guilt
Overwhelm
Perfectionism
Overthinking
Worry
Negative thoughts
Crying
Not socializing
Impulsive behaviors
Irritability
Restlessness
Unhappiness

Physical symptoms of anxiety and stress may include:

Gastrointestinal issues
Altered sleep pattern
Appetite issues
Increased heart rate
Muscle tension
Headaches
Dizziness
Brain fog

Difference between Anxiety and Stress

While many people use stress and anxiety interchangeably, they are different phenomena. Key differences between stress and anxiety include:

Specificity of the situation: Stress tends to be a response to a specific, external situation whereas anxiety is an internal response to the stressors. It does not necessarily abate when the stressor goes away. Anxiety can also arise from general conditions and may not have a specific trigger.
Symptoms: While stress and anxiety share some symptoms, many are unique to each. For example, in stressful situations, one experiences irritability, dizziness, and unhappiness. During anxiety, people tend to experience restlessness, nervousness, and dread, alongside other symptoms.
Treatment of the condition: Even though there are similarities between anxiety counselling in Dubai and stress management, the treatment plan for each is different.

Causes of Anxiety and Stress

Common causes of stress and anxiety include:

Big life events
Work problems
Deadlines
Starting something new
Injury or ailment
Death or loss
Past trauma(s)

Signs you need help

Whereas it is only natural to experience stress and anxiety in certain situations, chronic stress, and anxiety are concerning issues that need the help of an anxiety therapist in Dubai. Some concerning signs include:

Irrational fears
Changes in dietary habits or sleep pattern
Disruptive stress
Substance abuse to manage the symptoms of stress and anxiety
Suicide ideation
Feeling overwhelmed
Changes in hygiene
Feeling low
Thoughts about self-harm or self-harming
Compromised daily functionality
Physical health issues
Panic attacks

Techniques to Manage Anxiety and Stress

There are different stress and anxiety treatment techniques. These include:

Medication

To improve the symptoms of anxiety and stress, some people might be prescribed medication including SSRIs. For stress management, beta-blockers, and tranquilizing drugs are also recommended.

Therapy

Stress and anxiety counseling in Dubai can employ different therapy techniques, such as:

Cognitive-behavioral Therapy

CBT involves identifying the unhealthy thought patterns and the associated behaviors. Through CBT, people learn to identify the stressors and develop healthier responses to these triggers. It also is effective for managing emotional response.

Exposure Therapy

In exposure therapy, people are gradually exposed to fear-inducing situations in a controlled fashion to improve their response to the triggers. It also helps build resilience.

Acceptance and Commitment Therapy

ACT helps process difficult emotions and respond to them in a meaningful and constructive way.

Other Interventions

Physical activity

Exercise has been shown to improve stress and anxiety levels and subsequent symptoms like high heart rate and low mood.

Better diet

Diet plays an important role in managing stress and anxiety levels; therefore, it is imperative to consume a balanced diet, cut down on sugar, and practice portion control.

Spend time with friends and family

Spending quality time with friends and family helps improve mood, outlook, and emotional health. Hence, to moderate stress and anxiety levels, having good social support and reaching out to loved ones is imperative.

Self-care

Practicing self-care in the form of connecting with nature, sleeping well, practicing yoga and mindfulness, can help improve stress and anxiety levels.

Getting Anxiety Counselling and Therapy in Dubai

A study found that 28% of the adolescents in the UAE experience anxiety disorders, highlighting the importance of addressing these issues through effective therapy. Chronic stress and anxiety can take a toll on both mental and physical health, but help is available. Seeking anxiety therapy in Dubai can provide the support and tools needed to lead a healthier life.

At Counsel Clinic, our trained and licensed anxiety therapists are highly skilled in helping individuals manage anxiety and stress. We understand that anxiety affects everyone differently and provide personalized treatment plans based on your specific needs.

Our team is committed to delivering expert care to improve your emotional well-being and quality of life.

“Having never tried therapy before I was initially hesitant but given how helpful friends had found it, I decided to give it a go. Amalina helped me worked through a big life decision in a caring and practical way. I felt immediately comfortable talking to her.”

“Working with Tiago has been a transformative experience. Each session has provided me with valuable insights into my emotions, thought patterns, and behavior. He creates such a comfortable and non-judgmental environment. I always feel heard and understood.”

“Dr. Clarina has an incredible ability to listen deeply, offering insights that challenged my thinking while providing unwavering support. Her approach is both compassionate and evidence-based, blending various therapeutic techniques to suit my unique needs. What stands out most is her commitment to creating a collaborative environment.”

“Working with Yasir and exploring IFS has been a truly life-changing experience. Speaking to my parts has provided me with a deeper understanding of myself and my emotions. I have learned to connect with my inner child.”

“I finally felt understood and validated. I became more in touch with my emotions and better at setting boundaries. Few things felt like massive aha-moments, which I was not able to see by myself. And I am sure it saved me a lot of future heartbreak.”

CONTACT

Licensed & certified professionals for anxiety therapy in Dubai

Ahmad Halloum

5+

Anxiety & Stress

Self-Esteem

Anger Management

ADHD

Trauma

Starting 50 USD / Session

50 USD Starting rate / Session

Silvina Zambón

15+

Anxiety & Stress

Relationship Issues

Panic Disorder

Behavioral Issues

Trauma

Starting 75 USD / Session

75 USD Starting rate / Session

Alejandro Martínez

17+

Anxiety & Stress

Depression

Relationship Issues

Conflict Resolution

Coping with Divorce or Separation

Starting 75 USD / Session

75 USD Starting rate / Session

Georgianna Fernandez

22+

Anxiety & Stress

Self-Esteem

Life Transitions

Emotional Regulation

Postpartum Depression

Starting 75 USD / Session

75 USD Starting rate / Session

Nathasha Sharma

6+

Anxiety & Stress

Trauma

Mindfulness

Childhood Trauma

Emotional Regulation

Starting 75 USD / Session

75 USD Starting rate / Session

Carina Ferreira

10+

Anxiety & Stress

Depression

Panic Disorder

Starting 50 USD / Session

50 USD Starting rate / Session

Mahathi Karumanchi

5+

Anxiety & Stress

Depression

Relationship Issues

Eating Disorders

Anger Management

Starting 50 USD / Session

50 USD Starting rate / Session

Padma Sreedevi

7+

Relationship Issues

Anger Management

Parenting Support

Anxiety & Stress

Depression

Starting 50 USD / Session

50 USD Starting rate / Session

Ahmad Magdi

8+

Anxiety & Stress

Relationship Issues

Behavioral Issues

Starting 75 USD / Session

75 USD Starting rate / Session

Sharmistha Dutta

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